These past few weeks have been trying to say the least. The conversation surrounding the novel coronavirus has seriously escalated. Countries are closing borders. Governments are initiating lockdowns. Me, I’m on a self-imposed quarantine since I traveled.

Social media is my best friend these days. I live alone. It’s just me and my dog, who is basically a loner (reads likes to sleep). My days feel completely disjointed and overwhelming.

But don’t get out your violin and play a pity song, I’m taking the high road and making the best of it. I have a running list of things I want to do while in house arrest. And I can finally do them!

The problem, though, is that I have a tendency (to want) to do all those things at once. There’s a silver lining, however. I’m learning to slow down, carve out my day parts, and focus on what is important at the moment. And try not to go stir crazy.

Crush your goals

What does this mean in practice? As a life and travel coach - yes, I did just play that card - I work with clients to suss out what is important. So, I’m going to be my own coach while in self-imposed exile and walk my talk.

I’ll try not to get all coach-y with you. But there are a few golden rules to follow. First, I need to be clear about my main objective, “What do I want to accomplish?” If it’s a workday, I know I need to log in eight hours but what can I do after I close up shop for the remaining eight hours? Moreover, if it’s a weekend, how can I make the most of my time during those 16 waking hours?

If I want to succeed, I need to set goals. Without said goals I lack focus and direction. Plus, goals serve as a benchmark for staying on track and succeeding.

After I establish the big picture, I work backwards to figure out how I’m going to get to my long-term goals. I do this by setting micro-goals: What task or tasks can I do right now that will help me move the needle toward my dreams?

Lastly, it’s important to write things down and create a daily plan. Having a clear idea of what I want helps to motivate me and keep me on track. I typically choose two to three micro-goals each day that I can commit to and make happen. That way I’m not disappointed if I don’t hit my daily markers.

Coaching aside, the point here is to work out what little steps you need to take to achieve your long-term goals. Examples? To become healthy, to enrich your brain, to not lose your mind.

Below are eight suggestions to get you started.

Balance your body and mind

It’s easy to become a couch potato when stuck indoors. I make a conscious effort to schedule in yoga EVERY DAMN DAY. The two apps that I use regularly are Yogaia and Down Dog. Now, I don’t use a mindfulness app since yoga gives me mental clarity (ha ha), but I’ve heard good things about Headspace and Calm.

Take a virtual class

I’m constantly getting hit up by Coursera and Udemy with course recommendations. Some classes are even offered for free! Maybe it’s high time to explore personal development and upskill.

Binge-watch TV shows and movies

Since you’re not going out why not let the outside world come to you. There are loads of streaming services showing popular series and movies: Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime to name a few.

Read books

Instead of staring at a screen go old school and read a book. If you want to multi-task you can always download audio versions of bestsellers and listen while you cook or clean.

Declutter your space

Finally, time to clean out your cabinets, straighten up closets, and bring joy into your house. Tidying up guru Marie Kondo recommends decluttering by category. I’m no expert but I say do what feels right – room by room or closet by closet. Not sure if ironing falls under organization, but ironing is a very calming activity. My blouses and jeans have never been this wrinkle-free.

Bake or cook

Make the best of what you have in your kitchen pantry. Google recipes or pull out that cookbook that’s been gathering dust. Don’t forget that you can get creative with drinks, too. Drinking alone is not a sin 😉

Stay social

There’s no excuse not to stay connected. I use Skype and Teams to touch base with colleagues. With friends and family, it just depends – FaceTime, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts, Zoom. We’ve already social distanced ourselves in the age of social media. Make new friends by commenting on posts. Let people know you are out there, too, and interested in what he/she has to say.

Learn to appreciate the delivery economy

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t order meal delivery via an app. And I’m kind of picky regarding produce and fruit and prefer to hit up a brick and mortar store for groceries. That said, this may be as good a time as ever to learn the ins and outs of how grocery delivery works.

COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic. Stay updated in your country through the local health department.